Apparatus for and product method of making a frozen confectionery

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for producing a serving of frozen confectionery product is characterized by a supply of liquid gas, a support for removably carrying a disposable container that holds a volume of unfrozen confectionery mix, and a holder for releasably holding a disposable agitator, such that the agitator extends into confectionery mix in the container. A valve controllably dispenses liquid gas into the confectionery mix in the container while relative motion is imparted to the container and agitator to agitate and admix the confectionery mix and liquid gas while the liquid gas mix evaporates to cool and freeze the confectionery mix, through a transfer of heat from the confectionery mix to the liquid gas and through the latent heat of evaporation of the liquid gas, to produce the frozen confectionery product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 10/997,262 filed on Nov. 24, 2004 and issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 7,754,266 on Jul. 13, 2010, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entitity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for and methods of makingconfectionery products, and in particular to apparatus for and methodsof making instant frozen confectionery products fresh to each customer'sorder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ice cream, one of many frozen confections, is a well known and favouritedesert of millions of people. It is commonly prepared by mixingingredients such as milk, dairy products, sugar, emulsifying agents,stabilizers, colorants and flavouring agents, sometimes in admixturewith solid ingredients that are to be dispersed through the finalproduct, agitating the ingredients while they are chilled and thenfreezing the mixture.

Ice cream is generally available in two varieties: hard packed and softserve. Hard packed is the traditional ice cream that can be purchased incontainers and stored in a freezer and then dispensed, usually byscooping the product with a scoop. Soft serve ice cream is the type thatmay be dispensed from a machine and has a softer, creamier consistency.

Restaurants that produce soft serve ice cream usually have one or twoflavours available, and the ice cream is constantly being produced in asoft serve machine and is dispensed when requested by a customer.Machines hitherto used for this purpose have a few drawbacks. First,since the soft serve ice cream mix is initially in a liquid form, itmust be frozen in the machine, which consumes a lot of energy. Second,when many deserts are produced in quick succession, the consistency ofthe dispensed product becomes less stiff since the freezer in themachine can not freeze the new incoming mix immediately and has aproblem achieving the necessary temperature to produce the ice cream.Third, cleaning the machines is time consuming and costly, sometimeswasting product in the process. These problems pose a real problem forhigh volume outlets which require more than one machine in order to beable to produce soft serve ice cream at high volumes.

While soft serve ice cream is very popular, traditional hard packed icecream is still appealing to many people. However, much of the ice creamsold at a cafe or an ice cream shop is supplied to the shop in a bigbatch from a bulk supply produced days before a customer's order. Shopsthat make their own ice cream often do so well prior to a customer'sorder. Therefore, ice cream may be hours or days old by the time it isserved. Additionally, while a variety of toppings may be available, theflavours of the ice cream product are predetermined and the productionof customised flavoured ice cream is not possible.

Further the consistency of both soft serve and hard packed ice creamvaries greatly. The consistency of the soft serve is dependant on thevolume being produced and the consistency of the hard pack dependsgreatly on the temperature at which the product is stored. Thus, it isnot possible for a consumer to dictate the required consistency in theconfectionery product.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,732 to Inagaki and U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,890 toPaskach, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference,teach apparatus for and methods of producing an instant frozenconfectionery product. However, in each case the apparatus suffers thedisadvantage that product produced has direct contact with parts of themachinery. Thus, if the apparatus is used to make custom flavours, themachines should desirably be cleaned between serving one customer andserving the next, in order to ensure there is no cross-contamination offlavours. In a busy outlet this is not practical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a method of producing a singleserving of a frozen confectionery product comprises the steps ofmeasuring into a disposable container a volume of confectionery mix;positioning a disposable agitator to extending at least partially intothe confectionery mix in the container; adding a volume of liquid gas tothe confectionery mix in the container; creating relative motion betweenthe container and agitator to agitate the liquid gas and confectionerymix in the container until the liquid gas has evaporated; cooling andfreezing the confectionery mix in the container through the transfer ofheat from the confectionery mix to the liquid nitrogen and through useof the latent energy of evaporation of the liquid gas; and then removingthe container holding the resulting frozen confectionery and thedisposable agitator for consumption of the frozen confectionery.

The step of positioning a disposable agitator advantageously extends atleast partially into the confectionery mix in the container an agitatorhaving a substantially scoop shaped portion to that, when the agitatoris removed along with the container, it may be used to scoop the frozenconfection from the container to facilitate its consumption.

To measure a volume of confectionery mix into the disposable container,a user may manually add the confection mix to the container and thenplace the container in a device that adds the liquid gas and agitatesthe mixture of liquid gas and confectionery mix. Alternatively, thecontainer may be placed in the device, which then automaticallydispenses into the container the confectionery mix and any flavouradditives prior to introduction of the liquid gas and agitation.

Creating relative motion between the agitator and disposable containermay be accomplished by securing the container in fixed position andmoving the agitator. Alternatively, the agitator may be in fixedposition and the container moved, or both the agitator and container maybe moved. When the relative motion of the agitator and disposablecontainer is provided by securing the container in fixed position andmoving the agitator, the agitator is rotated and, preferably, is rotatedin an epicyclic motion. The relative motion of the agitator is commencedprior to introducing the liquid gas to the confectionery mix and theamount of liquid gas added is varied in accordance with a desiredconsistency of the resulting frozen product. To obtain the desiredconsistency, an initial set volume of liquid gas is added and thensmaller amounts are subsequently added until a confectionery product ofdesired consistency is obtained.

The invention also contemplates an apparatus for producing a singleserving of a frozen confectionery product, comprising a supply of liquidgas; a support for removably holding a disposable container thatcontains a volume of unfrozen confectionery mix; a holder for releasablyholding a disposable agitator so that the agitator extends into thecontainer and at least partially into the confectionery mix; a valve forcontrollably dispensing a volume of liquid gas into the confectionerymix in the container; motor means for imparting relative motion betweenthe container and agitator to agitate the admixture of confectionery mixand liquid gas in the container; and a control system for controllingthe valve and motor means to agitate the confection mix in the containerwhile the liquid gas dispensed into the confectionery mix evaporates,thereby simultaneously cooling and aerating the confection mix toproduce a frozen confectionery product.

The unfrozen confectionery mix may be introduced into the disposablecontainer by the operator before the container is held by the support orby the apparatus after the container is held by the support. For thecase where the confection mix is introduced into the container after itis held by the support, the apparatus includes means for containing areservoir of liquid confectionery base product and a valve coupled tothe reservoir for metering a volume of unfrozen confectionery base mixinto the container. Preferably, the means for containing comprises arefrigerated compartment of the apparatus for receiving the reservoir ofliquid confectionery mix.

To further utilize the cold gas vapour escaping from the confectionerymix in the container upon evaporation of the liquid gas, the apparatushas ducts above the container and fans to draw into the ducts the coolgas escaping the container. The ducts deliver the cold gas to therefrigerated compartment containing the reservoir of confectionery mixto chill the mix. Ducts also are provided for flow of the gas from therefrigerated compartment and discharge of the gas into the atmosphere.

The apparatus may include a flavour addition system for selectivelyadding one or more of a number of flavour concentrates to the liquidconfection mix in the disposable container while the container is on thesupport. A user operable control system is provided to control thetiming of the introduction of the flavour concentrates and to confectionmix in the container.

The valve for dispensing the liquid gas and, where applicable, valvesfor dispensing unfrozen liquid confectionery base product mix and anyflavours, are positioned in the apparatus so as to dispense theirrespective substances from above the disposable container, so that thereis no contact between product in the container and the valves, thuspreventing cross contamination of flavours between one product and thenext.

So that a frozen confection might be prepared to a desired consistency,the apparatus desirably includes means for monitoring the consistency ofthe product as it is cooled and freezes. In one embodiment, themonitoring means is responsive to the torque of a rotary output shaftconnecting the motor means to the disposable agitator. In anotherembodiment, the motor means is an electric motor and the monitoringmeans is responsive to the magnitude of current drawn by the electricmotor. In yet another embodiment, the means for monitoring comprises anadjustable slip clutch coupled between the motor output shaft and theagitator, with the clutch being set to slip at a predetermined torquethat corresponds to a specific consistency of the frozen confectionproduct. In the case of the latter embodiment, also included are meansfor detecting when slippage of the clutch occurs.

The supply of liquid gas advantageously comprises a Dewar vessel forstorage of a volume of liquid gas product. A sensor within the Dewarvessel detects minimum and maximum levels of liquid gas in the vessel,and means are provided for maintaining a volume of liquid gas within theDewar vessel. The arrangement is such that when a selected minimum levelof liquid gas in the Dewar vessel is reached, the Dewar vessel isrefilled until the level of liquid gas reaches a selected maximum level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is shown in FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of apparatus or machineembodying the teachings of the present invention. In this embodiment, aliquid nitrogen cylinder 1, which may be a standard 160 litre (42gallon) pressurized cylinder, is connected to an inlet to a safetyrelease valve assembly 2, an outlet from which connects to a vacuumsealed cryogenic hose 3. Safety release valve assembly 2 is of a knowntype that maintains communication between its inlet and outlet butactivates on its own to vent nitrogen from the system whenever pressurein the system exceeds preset safety levels, thereby to maintain systempressure to be no greater than a maximum preset level. Hose 3 may alsobe any other variety of hose approved for cryogenic use and may beinsulated by foam or other suitable insulating material.

Hose 3 is attached to an inlet to a cryogenic solenoid valve 4 containedwithin a housing or case 5 of the machine, case 5 being made of a thinmaterial, preferably metal but alternatively of any other materialcommonly used in food processing machine casings, and serving to protectthe interior of the machine. An outlet from solenoid valve 4 is attachedto an inlet to a Dewar vessel 6 for holding liquid nitrogen, and valve 4is also connected electrically to a control box 7. Valve 4 is preferablya two way normally closed valve, but other cryogenic valves may be used.

Dewar vessel 6 can be a small commercial Dewar vessel or be fabricatedfrom common materials, for example a plastic container surrounded by anappropriate foam insulation. Inside Dewar vessel 6 is a cryogeniccapacitance liquid level sensor 8 with an electrical connection tocontrol box 7. Other methods of determining liquid level and thereforeliquid volume in Dewar vessel 6 may be used, for example a float sensoror visual scale. A horizontal strut 9 supports Dewar vessel 6 insidecase 5. The strut can be made of any structurally sound material used toprovide both strength to case 5 and support to the internal elements ofthe system.

At a lower outlet from Dewar 6 is a cryogenic solenoid valve 10 that iselectrically connected to control box 7. Valve 10 is controlled to allowliquid nitrogen to selectively flow through the outlet from Dewar vessel6 into a removable disposable container 11 positioned below the outlet.Also connected to strut 9 is a motor assembly 12 which releasablyreceives and holds a disposable agitator 13. The agitator 13 is of anelongate shape and at least a portion of the agitator is advantageouslyformed to be capable of performing the function of acting as a scoopdevice to aid consumption of product by a customer.

Disposable agitator 13, when positioned on the machine and held by themotor assembly 12, extends at a lower end at least partially intocontainer 11 that may be, for example, a twelve ounce hot beverage papercup, although other types of suitable containers may be used. In thepresently described embodiment of the invention a paper cup is used,because such a cup is manufactured from two pieces joined at the bottomto leave a thin cylinder at the base of the cup that fits on a containerholding assembly 14 that may be an aluminium or other suitably stiffmaterial disk that is sized to sit just inside of the bottom lip ofcontainer 11. Preferably, the container holding assembly 14 has a slighttaper enabling the container 11 to sit snugly upon it.

Container holding assembly 14 is attached to a motor 15 that isconnected electrically to control box 7 and mounted at its upper end toa strut 16. Between the mounting of motor 15 and strut 16 is a torquesensor 17 that is connected electrically to control box 7.

Control box 7 preferably contains a programmable microcontroller,although any other suitable activating system may be used. For example,a simple system of switches could be used to activate each of thevarious system components electrically connected to control box 7.Control box 7 has a consumer interface that includes a hardness selector18 and start button 19.

In operation of the apparatus to produce a single serving of a frozenconfectionery product, a disposable cup or container 11 containing ameasured amount of unfrozen liquid ice cream mix is placed ontocontainer holding assembly 14 and a disposable agitator 13 is removablyconnected with motor assembly 12, such that a lower end of the agitatorextends at least partially into the ice cream mix in container 11. Inthis embodiment, the ice cream mix, for example six ounces of ice creammix, is poured into the cup before placing the cup on container holdingassembly 14, although an automated ice cream mix dispensing system couldbe located in the machine to pour ice cream mix into the cup after thecup is positioned on container holding assembly 14. The user may alsoadd any additional ingredients desired by the consumer, for examplepieces of fresh fruit, candy, etc.

With container 11 in place on container holding assembly 14, the userindicates his/her hardness preference on the control box hardnessselector 18 and then presses start button 19 to starts the process andinitially direct the microcontroller within the control box 7 to firstactivate cup spinning motor 15 and agitator motor assembly 12. Thecombined relative motions imparted to disposable agitator 13 andcontainer 11 by respective motors 12 and 15 provides an epicyclic motionof the disposable agitator through the unfrozen confection mix.Alternatively, just one or the other of container 11 or agitator 13 canbe moved by its associated motor while the other remains stationary, ora single motor can be used to rotate just one or both of the containerand agitator.

Next, the microcontroller of control box 7 activates cryogenic solenoidvalve 10 to release a predetermined length pulse or volume of liquidnitrogen from the Dewar vessel 6 into the ice cream mix contained inspinning cup 11 to cool and freeze the mixture. The volume of liquidnitrogen is emitted from valve 10 as a liquid stream that is directedinto the unfrozen liquid ice cream mix in cup 11, although there may bea short conduit leading from an outlet from the valve to the cup,depending upon the position of the Dewar vessel and valve relative tothe cup, but either way the stream of liquid nitrogen is essentiallyintroduced from above into the unfrozen liquid confectionery mix in thecup. Since at this point the disposable agitator 13 and cup 11 arealready moving, as the stream of nitrogen impacts and is added to theice cream mixture in the cup it is effectively mixed in with the liquidconfectionery mix. Cup 11 will continue to spin for a predeterminedlength of time and additional pulses of liquid nitrogen may be emitted,as necessary, from solenoid valve 10 into the ice cream mix in therotating cup.

As liquid nitrogen within Dewar vessel 6 is consumed by the process, thelevel of nitrogen will reach a lower limit in the vessel, whereuponlevel sensor 8 will send a signal to controller 7 to cause thecontroller to open solenoid valve 4 to refill Dewar vessel 6 fromcylinder or tank 1 until an upper limit of level sensor 8 is reached, atwhich point valve 4 is closed.

Motors 12 and 15 continue to be operated to rotate container 11 andagitator 13 and thereby agitate the ice cream mix in the container asliquid nitrogen introduced into the ice cream mix evaporates, whereuponthe ice cream mix is cooled by a transfer of heat from the mix to theliquid nitrogen, with gasses produced by evaporation of the nitrogenpassing through the mixture to simultaneously aerate as well as cool andfreeze the confectionery mix as a result of a heat exchange process thatoccurs from the latent heat of evaporation of the nitrogen. The hardnessto which the resulting confectionery product is brought is dependantupon the volume of liquid nitrogen introduced into and evaporated withinthe ice cream mix in container 11. After an initial volume of liquidnitrogen is added to container 11, additional pulses of liquid nitrogenare added, as necessary, until a selected hardness of the confectioneryis reached. The occurrence of additional pulses of liquid nitrogen intothe ice cream mix is determined by the setting of hardness selector 18of control box 7. Should the user indicate select a harder frozenconfection, the microcontroller will dispense more pulses of liquidnitrogen into the ice cream mix in container 11, while if the userselects a softer frozen confection, fewer pulses of liquid nitrogen willbe introduced into the ice cream mix. The hardness of the confectioneryproduct is measured by torque sensor 17 that provides feedback to themicrocontroller of control box 7, and when a predetermined torque issensed, which is of a magnitude in accordance with the setting ofhardness selector 18, the frozen confection making process is ended. Theoperator can remove both container 11 and agitator 13 from the deviceand enjoy the fresh frozen confection product. Preferably, a lowerportion of agitator 13 that extends at least partially into theconfectionery product is substantially scoop shaped and the agitatorwhen removed is served to the consumer with the product, so that theconsumer can then use the disposable agitator to scoop the product fromcontainer 11 to facilitate consumption of the product. Agitator 13 andcontainer 11 are then disposed of.

For the arrangement thus far described, the operator adds liquid baseconfectionery product mix to the container 11, plus any flavouringsand/or additives required by the customer, to provide a customisedflavour. The operator then places the container into the apparatus andbegins the freezing process. This separation of ingredient preparationfrom the freezing apparatus enables a much smaller apparatus to be used,which is advantageous where there may be a limited amount of counterspace available.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of machine embodying theteachings of the present invention, in which a liquid nitrogen cylinder20 is connected through a safety release valve assembly 21 to a vacuumsealed cryogenic hose 22. Hose 22 may also be any other variety of hoseapproved for cryogenic use and can be insulated by foam or othermaterial.

Hose 22 couples liquid nitrogen at an outlet from safety release valveassembly 21 to an inlet to a cryogenic solenoid valve 23 containedwithin a case 24 of the machine, the solenoid valve being attached to aliquid nitrogen Dewar vessel 25 for introducing liquid nitrogen into thevessel and also being connected electrically to a controller (not shownfor clarity), such as a controller of a type referenced at 7 in FIG. 1.Inside Dewar vessel 25 is a cryogenic capacitance liquid level sensor 25a that is electrically connected to the controller. The case 24 may befabricated from a number of different panels including removablesections or doors for access to the components contained within thecase.

Leading from the bottom of Dewar vessel 25 is a cryogenic solenoid valve26 that is electrically connected to and operated by the controller.Valve 26 is controlled to allow pulses or streams of liquid nitrogen toselectively flow from Dewar vessel 25 for introduction into liquidconfectionery mix contained in a removable disposable container or cup27 positioned below valve 26.

Situated within case 24 of the machine is a reservoir 28 containingunfrozen liquid confectionery base mix, e.g., unfrozen liquid ice creammix. Reservoir 28 advantageously is disposable and may be of a bag or abag in box type commonly used in beverage dispensers.

Leading from an outlet from reservoir 28 is a conduit for delivery ofconfectionery mix from the reservoir into removable container or cup 27via a control valve 29, which is electrically coupled to and actuationof which is controlled by the controller to dispense a predeterminedquantity of confectionery base mix into container 27 through an openupper end of the container.

Also situated within case 24 of the machine is a plurality of containers30 containing flavour concentrates for admixture to base confectionerymix in container 27, as dictated by a consumer. These flavours may beadded to the base confectionery in cup 27 prior to a chilling andfreezing process and blended during chilling and freezing to produce ahomogeneously flavoured confection product or they may be mixed into thebase confection mix when it is at least partially frozen to produceareas of separate flavour within the finished frozen confection product.Preferably, the flavour containers 30 are fully disposable and eachcontains a suitable reservoir of concentrate as well as a pumping ordosing means for dispensing metered amounts of the flavours. A motor 31for providing an epicyclic output has an agitator 32 removably attachedto a shaft extending therefrom. Motor 31 is operated by the controllerand included are means to monitor current being drawn by the motor,which current monitoring means may be part of the controller. Agitator32 extends at least partially into confectionery mix in container 27 andagitates and mixes the product therein, and advantageously the agitatoris configured so that it can also be used by a consumer to scoop thefrozen confection product from the cup for consumption.

In use of the apparatus to produce a frozen confection, the user inputsinto an operator interface (not shown) of the controller any flavourconcentrates desired to be introduced into the confection mix and beginsthe process of producing the confection, initial steps of which processare placement of a container 27 on the machine and removable attachmentof an agitator 32 to the output of motor 31, such that the agitatorextends downward at least partially into the container. Upon initiationof the controller by the user, the machine dispenses liquidconfectionery base mix from reservoir 28, together with any flavoursselected by the consumer from flavour containers 30, into the container27 in appropriately metered quantities. Motor 31 is then energized toepicyclically rotate agitator 32 to commence agitation and mixing of theproduct in container 27, whereupon valve 26, if not previously opened,is opened for a set period of time to allow a quantity of liquidnitrogen to flow from Dewar vessel 25 into container 27 for mixing withthe confectionery mix in a manner as above described. The liquidnitrogen immediately starts to evaporate, thereby simultaneously coolingand aerating the confection product. Optionally, and depending upon thedesired consistency of the resulting product, selected additionalamounts of liquid nitrogen can be added to the mix during the process asrequired, so that the heat exchange that occurs as a result of atransfer of heat from the mix to the liquid nitrogen and from the latentenergy of evaporation of the liquid nitrogen freezes the confection mixto an extent determined by the volume of liquid nitrogen introduced intothe confection mix, thereby to yield a desired consistency of the finalfrozen product. As the nitrogen evaporates and leaves the mix the coldnitrogen gas is drawn by a fan 33 through a grille 34 into the interiorof the machine case 24 where it passes through an insulatedrefrigeration compartment or area 34 containing the liquid confectionerybase mix reservoir 28 to refrigerate the confectionery mix, followingwhich the nitrogen gas flows out of a vent 35 for ducting to anappropriate dump location.

As the product is cooled through the heat exchange process that occurswith the liquid nitrogen, the product starts to freeze and thicken,throughout which process agitator 32 agitates the product. Duringagitation, the motor speed may be kept constant and the magnitude of thecurrent drawn by the electric motor 31 may be monitored by thecontroller and used as an indication of the stiffness of the product. Inother words, as the liquid confectionery mix thickens and freezes, thetorque required to be output by motor 31 to continue to rotate agitator32 increases, which in turn increases the current drawn by the motor.When the current drawn reaches a specific level indicative that thedesired consistency of the product has been reached, the controllerterminates the freezing process and the user removes container 27containing the product and agitator 32, which agitator may then beserved to a customer along with the frozen confection in the containerand used as a scoop to consume the product, whereby the agitatoreconomically serves double duty.

Other techniques can be used to detect confection consistency. Forexample, it is contemplated that reaching the desired consistency of theconfection can be determined by maintaining a fixed input voltage to themotor and monitoring motor speed, with motor speed then being inverselyproportional to and indicative of the consistency, such that when motorspeed drops to a certain rpm, it is known that the desired consistencyhas been reached. Alternatively, a fixed power input can be provided tothe motor, with stalling of the motor then indicating that the desiredconsistency has been reached. On the other hand, if motor conditions arenot to be monitored, then a breakaway agitator can be used, whichagitator cleanly snaps from its holder when the desired consistency isreached, in which case the operator would have a collection ofagitators/spoons to select from.

It is understood that while the invention has been described in terms ofusing liquid nitrogen to chill and freeze the confectionery product, anyother suitable liquid gas could be used for the purpose. Also, whiledetecting the consistency of the frozen confectionery product has beendescribed in terms of measuring the torque exerted on the disposableagitator or the magnitude of the current flow drawn by a motor, it iscontemplated that product consistency can be determined by othersuitable means, such as by use of an adjustable slip clutch at an outputfrom a motor driving the agitator. In this case, the clutch would be setto slip at a predetermined torque that corresponded to a specificconsistency of the frozen product, and the apparatus could thenadvantageously include means for detecting when clutch slip occurs andfor signalling a user of that event.

While embodiments of the invention have been described in detail,various modifications and other embodiments thereof may be devised byone skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, as defined in the appended claim(s).

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a confectionary frozenproduct, comprising: (a) supplying liquid gas; (b) setting a controllerwith a desired consistency level for said confectionary frozen product;(c) said controller initiating the movement of both an agitator and areceiving container, wherein said agitator is movable within saidreceiving container and wherein said receiving container contains aconfectionary mix; (d) said controller initiating the release of apredetermined initial volume of said supplied liquid gas into saidreceiving container; (e) said controller subsequently initiating therelease of a predetermined sequence of pulses of said supplied liquidgas into said receiving container, wherein each of said pulses in saidsequence of pulses have a predetermined pulse length or volume of theliquid gas; and (f) sensing a predetermined setting corresponding to thedesired and set consistency level of the confectionary frozen productand discontinuing said release of said sequence of pulses by saidcontroller when the sensed predetermined consistency setting reaches thedesired and set consistency level, wherein (i) the predetermined initialvolume of the liquid gas, (ii) the predetermined sequence of pulses and(iii) the predetermined pulse length or volume of pulses of liquid gasare determined by said controller and from the consistency level set forthe confectionary frozen product, and wherein said controller ensuresthe maintenance of the level of supplied liquid gas such that thesupplied liquid gas maintains within a preset volume level to facilitatesaid release steps.
 2. A method of making a confectionary frozenproduct, comprising: (a) supplying liquid gas; (b) setting a controllerwith a desired consistency level for said confectionary frozen product;(c) said controller initiating relative movement between an agitator anda receiving container, wherein said agitator is movable within saidreceiving container and wherein said receiving container contains aconfectionary mix; (d) said controller initiating the release of apredetermined initial volume of said supplied liquid gas into saidreceiving container; (e) said controller subsequently initiating therelease of a predetermined sequence of pulses of said supplied liquidgas into said receiving container, wherein each of said pulses in saidsequence of pulses have a predetermined pulse length or volume of theliquid gas; and (f) sensing a predetermined setting corresponding to thedesired and set consistency level of the confectionary frozen productand discontinuing said release of said sequence of pulses by saidcontroller when the sensed predetermined consistency setting reaches thedesired and set consistency level, wherein (i) the predetermined initialvolume of the liquid gas, (ii) the predetermined sequence of pulses and(iii) the predetermined pulse length or volume of pulses of liquid gasare determined by said controller and from the consistency level set forthe confectionary frozen product, and wherein said controller ensuresthe maintenance of the level of supplied liquid gas such that thesupplied liquid gas maintains within a preset volume level to facilitatesaid release steps.
 3. A method of making a confectionary frozenproduct, comprising: (a) supplying liquid gas; (b) setting a controllerwith a desired consistency level for said confectionary frozen product;(c) said controller initiating the relative movement of both an agitatorand a receiving container, wherein said agitator is movable within saidreceiving container and wherein said receiving container contains aconfectionary mix; (d) said controller initiating the release of aninitial volume of said supplied liquid gas into said receivingcontainer; (e) said controller subsequently initiating the release ofpulses of said supplied liquid gas into said receiving container,wherein each of said pulses in said sequence of pulses have a pulselength or volume of the liquid gas; and (f) sensing a settingcorresponding to the desired and set consistency level of theconfectionary frozen product and discontinuing said release of saidsequence of pulses by said controller when the sensed consistencysetting reaches the desired and set consistency level, wherein (i) theinitial volume of the liquid gas, (ii) the pulses and (iii) the pulselength or volume of pulses of liquid gas are determined by saidcontroller and from the consistency level set for the confectionaryfrozen product, and wherein said controller ensures the maintenance ofthe level of supplied liquid gas such that the supplied liquid gasmaintains within a preset volume level to facilitate said release steps.